Giving service was the core theme of an interfaith celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Muslim Women’s Association of South Australia (MWASA) held 16 February in Adelaide.
The Association has worked closely in recent years with young single adults of many faiths including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on annual service projects to help people in need.
“It was wonderful to attend their jubilee event and not only recognise their efforts in supporting refugees, women and families, but also to be reminded of all that we have in common, especially a commitment to give service and build the wider community,” said Debbie Foster, a member of the Church who took part in the celebrations.
As an advisor or mentor, along with her husband Ross, to Latter-day Saint young adults in the Church’s Firle Stake (diocese), Debbie said she was pleased MWASA chairperson Sister Dora Abbas was keen ‘to continue to collaborate with like-minded people’ in giving service.
“We are all members of one humankind, and it is human nature to want to help others,” Sister Dora shared with the event attendees. “The future belongs to our youth and they are energetic, caring and resourceful.”
Guest speaker, the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, thanked the association and participants for ‘promoting respect for one another, no matter the cultural background’ and went on to share his own refugee story and the spirit of generosity he found in Adelaide.
Additional speaker professor Mohamad Abdalla, from UniSA, praised the contribution of mothers in building society.
“There is an Arab proverb that says, ‘A Mother is A School’ - she creates our future’s noble people.”
“The greatest thing you can teach and give is service: it brings refinement and enlightenment”, added Mohamad Abdalla.
Speaking of the service women provide, Church President Russell M. Nelson has declared, "Your nature leads you to think of others first, to consider the effect that any course of action will have on others.”